Metallic bale-covering.



Patented Nov. 27, I900.

T. T. mum'onn. METALLIC BALE COVERING.

(Application filed Aug. 28, 1899. Benewcd Dirt. 16, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.-

* muemcgz I I I j attoznug 0 O D Q c0, Puma-urns, WASHINGTON u c No. 662.80I. Patented Nov. 27,1900.

T. T. MUNFORD.

METALLIC B'A LE covanma.

1i on filed Aug. 28, 1899. Renewed Oct. 16, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheeta-Shoet 2.

Hgiii" numruwmu I Uivrrnn STATES l arnnrr FFICE-Q THOMAS T. MUNFORD, OF LYNOHBURG, VIRGINIA.

M ETALLlC BALE-COVERING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 662,801, dated November 27, 1900.

Application filed August 28, 1899' Renewed October 16, 1900. Serial No. 33,284. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS T. MUNFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynchburg, in the county of Campbell and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Metallic Bale-Coverings, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings and to the numerals of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to improvements in bale-coverings for cotton and other textile and fibrous materials.

In baling cotton as heretofore generally practiced the lint-cotton after having been compressed into a suitable bale was held in that condition by bands and ties; but this has been found objectionable, inasmuch as the cotton is left exposed and becomes liable to waste or destruction by theft, water, or fire, and to overcome these difficulties I have devised a covering, as hereinafter described, made of metallic sheets held together by rivets, screws, nails, bolts, or other fastening devices, the structure thus formed entirely inclosing the cotton, thus preventing the waste, loss, or injury above referred to. The bale-covering is composed of two metallic plates, one forming its body and the other its top, each of said plates having flaps which when inelosing the compressed material are bent to form the sides and ends, respectively, of the body and the top of the cover., To the plate which is used for the body are firmly bolted metallic or wooden strips, one fastened to the upper edge of each of the sides and ends of the body and one at each side edge of each end piece, so that the strips when the sides and ends are bent into place form for the covering a frame adapted to support and stiffen the metal and give rigidity to the whole structure. The side flaps of the body extend beyond the ends of the bottom, the extensions being adapted to be bent at a right angle and fold over the ends and riveted, bolted, or nailed to the end flaps through holes provided for the purpose. The flaps of the top or cover are also furnished with suitable holes registering, when the top is in position, with holes at the upper edges of the side and end flaps of the'body, through which holes the rivets or other holding devices for securing the top to the body are passed.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved bale-covering,showing one end opened and the top slightly elevated. Fig. '2 is a perspective view of one end of the bale-covering closed. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the sheet of metal or blank from which the body is formed. Fig. 4 is a section on the line :1: 41:, Fig. 1. Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 illustrate modifications in the means of attachment of the top to the body.

Similar numerals of reference I indicate similar parts in the respective figures.

The body of the bale-covering is made from a metallic sheet of suitable thickness, providing a bottom 1, having side and end flaps 2 2 3 3, which become, when the fiaps are bent at a right angle to the bottoni, the sides and ends, respectively, of the body. At one edge of each of the side flaps 2 and end flaps 3 is bolted or otherwise secured a metallic or wooden strip 4:, similar strips 5 being also fastened to the side edges of the end flaps 3. These strips are preferably semicircular in cross-section, as shown, the curved side of each being toward the inside of the body, and the flat side is provided with a groove 6, adapted to receive the heads of the rivets or bolts when used to secure the top in place. These strips give rigidity to the'whole structure, as will be readily seen. The side flaps 2 are of a length greater than that of the bottom 4:, the extended portion 7 being adapted, when the endflaps 3 are bent into place, to fold over and by means of rivets, belts, or other fastenings hold the extensions 7 securely to the body. The top 8 is likewise made of sheet metal, the side flaps 9 and end liaps 10 being bent to fit over the body and to beheld in place by rivets, bolts, screws, or nails passing through registering holes 11 and 12 at the upper edges of the side flaps 2 and end flaps 3 of the body and the flaps of the top 8, respectively.

When rivets or bolts are used, their heads are seated in the grooves 6, formed in the strips 5, their shanks passing through the registering holes 11 and 12 and being secured by heading or otherwise when the top is in place. If screws or nails are employed, they are passed through the holes 11 and 12 and screwed or driven into the strips 5.

In Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, are shown modifications in the means for securing the top to the body of the bale-covering. As illustrated in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the side flaps 9 and end flaps 10 of the top are provided with longitudinal slits l3, and at points near the edges of the side flaps 2 and end flaps 3 coincident with the slits are formed or cut out tapering tongues 14, which are passed through the slits and thereafter bent downwardly, securely holding the top in place. If advisable, the tongues maybe riveted or otherwise fastened to the sides and ends of the body for additional security, as shown in Fig. 8,which shows the strip 4 applied as hereinabove explained.

To gain access to the inclosed bale for inspection or other purpose, it is only necessary to remove the rivets or equivalent holding devices at one of the ends of the bale-covering, to bend out the end flap 10 and extension '7,and then bend outwardly the end flap 3.

This bale-covering in be used in carrying out the method described and claimed in an application filed herewith by me, Serial No. 728,743.

Having thus described my invention, I claim In a metallic bale covering, two flapped sheets, one of which forms the bottom, sides and ends, and the other the top, combined with fastening devices as described, and strips, secured at the outer edges of the sides and ends, adapted to stiffen the body and conceal within the covering the line of t'astening devices, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand,

THOMAS T. MUNFORD.

WVitnesses:

T. GLEN MUNFORD, MARY O. TAYLoE. 

